Motor heat indicator



Aug. 16, 1932. R, T; HURLEY 1,871,527

MOTOR HEAT INDICATOR Filed Sept. 7, 1929 INVENTOR flay IHur/ey ATTORN EYS Patented Aug. 16, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

ROY T. HURLEY, F DOBBS FERRY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO MOTOMETER GAUGE & EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, OF LONG ISLAND CITY, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE MOTOR HEAT INDICATOR Application filed September 7, 1929. Serial No. 890,872.

This invention relates to combined radiator caps and motor heat indicating means and has for an important object the prov1s1on of a structure which will be so compact and so advantageously arranged that the motor car manufacturer will be free to utilize the cap for procuring substantially any type or style of ornamentation or producing any kind of distinctive appearance desired, whether his taste runs to the display of elaborate figures and insignia or to the plain flat appearance which is at present in vogue.

The present invention more particularly relates to the type of device as above described which embodies in combination, an inner shell member and indicator mechanism 1 ing in a horizontal plane and carried whol y by the inner shell member and arranged to operate in a space of restricted height immediately 29 above the inner shell member, the arrangement being such that the unit formed by the inner shell member and the indicator mechanism is adapted for interchangeable association with a wide variety of types and styles m of outer shell members, including outer shell members of minimum height, with the inner and outer shell members completely enclosing the indicator mechanism and peripherally exposing said mechanism to View.

The present invention also relates to the provision of illuminating means within the device, the object being to illuminate the dial so that the indications thereof may be read by the operator at all times.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawing, forming part of this specification which illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of a device embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top view thereof partly broken to show the binding post connection to the lead wire.

Fig. 3 is a front view of the device.

In Fig. 1 one form of thecombined cap and instrument is shown. The particular cap and instrument assembly herein chosen to illustrate the invention comprises two princi- M pal units, namely the operating unit 5 and the outer shell unit 6, the two being held together in any manner desired, such as by screws 7 passmg through the flange 8 in the unit 5. The unit 5 will be seen to comprise a substantially closed structurally unitarydevice comprising the depending portion 9, which houses the thermal responsive element which is adapted to be inserted into the vapor space over the cooling fluid of an automobile radiator, and a horizontal housing 10 for the remaining operatin elements. The shaft 11, which is rotatable y the operating devices housed within the unit 5, carries the pointer 12 which is provided with a downwardly turned portion 13; this portion passing in front of the horizontal dial 14. The dial 14 is carried by the unit 5 and is supported by tFhe uprights 15, only one of which appears in The outer shell unit 6 which may be designed and constructed to give any ornamental efi'ect desired, is provided with a horizontal window 16, the two units 5 and 6 being so assembled that the dial or scale 14 is disposed immediately behind the window 16.

In order to illuminate the dial 14, which is preferably made of translucent material, the outer shell 6 is provided with an elongated chamber 17 having an opening immediately over the central portion of the window 16. The bottom 18 of the chamber 17 is provided with an opening 19 so that the light from the lamp 20, which is disposed within the chamber 17, may pass into the housing 6 and illuminate the dial or scale 14. The insulating plate 21 provided with a metallic center contact 22, is lodged against the rearward end of the chamber 17. An insulated wire 23 is connected to the center contact 22 and is preferably provided with a connector 24 at the other end thereof which is electrically connected to the binding post 25 which is carried by the housing 6 and insulated therefrom. The binding post 25 is preferably provided with a knob exteriorly of the housing 6 so that it may receive a suitably constructed cord 26 which may be connected to a source of current and serves to convey current to the lamp 20. In order to hold the lamp 20 in firm engagement with the center contact 22 108 i and to minimize any vibration of the lamp 20, a helical spring 28 is disposed between the lamp 20 and he screw threaded cap 29 that closes the chamber 17 To complete the electric circuit a spring is carried by the lamp base 30 which serves to connect the shell contact of the lamp with the metallic portion of the housing 6, this serving as a grounded return for the circuit of the lamp.

While the present specification illustrates and describes in detailone preferred form of the invention, it is to be understood that changes may be made therein and the invention may be embodied in' ither structures.

The invention, therefore, is not limited to the specific construction illustrated.

I claim: 7

1. In a combined radiator cap and heat indicating instrument, the combination of a horizontal casing with a pendent thermal responsive device, an outer shell member coopcrating therewith to form a chamber, and

ill

indicating mechanism in said chamber operable by said thermal responsive device, said outer shell member-having a recess therein for receiving an electric lamp and having a passage from said recess to said chamber in the vicinity of said indicating mechanism said outer shell memberbeing in a horizontal ane. a p 2. In a combined radiator cap and heat indicating instrument, the combination of a horizontal casing with a pendent thermal responsive device, an ornamental outer shell member cooperating therewith to form a chamber, and indicating mechanism in said chamber operable by said thermal responsive device, said outer shell member having a horizontal recess therein for receiving an electric lamp and having a passage from said recess to said chamber in the vicinity of said indicating mechanism said outer shell member being in a horizontal plane.

3. In a combined radiator cap and heat indicating instrument, the combination of a horizontal casing with a pendent thermal responsive device, an outer shell member cooperating therewith to form a chamber, and indicating mechanism in said chamber operable by said thermal responsive device, said outer shell member havlng a horizontal recess therein accessible from the exterior thereof for receiving an electric lamp and having a passage from said recess to said chamber in the vicinity of said indicating mechanism ssiid outer shell member being in a horizontal p ane.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature to this specification.

' ROY T. HURLEY. 

